Vienna 2015, 60th ESC 40 For 40: Melanie Rene "Time to Shine"

There is one more semifinalist left for me to review before the semifinals. This is my review of Melanie Rene (pictured) with "Time to Shine" (Switzerland).

"Time to Shine" is a great ballad, with great beats and good voice. Yet another of the countless ballads this year. It will be very tough out there (as it is every year), thus it will be very borderline for her to make it in the grand final. Who knows she might make it in for next Saturday, but first she must impress next Thursday in the second semifinal. Good luck.

Up next: The Makemakes "I Am Yours"

Copenhagen 2014 Reviews: SEBalter "Hunter of Stars"

Switzerland yet again sending more alternative music this year! For Copenhagen, it will be Sebalter (pictured) with "Hunter of Stars."

"Hunter of Stars" is a very cool, very folk-ish alternative song, complete with great vocals. Whistling is included as well. Overall, it is a song too good for the event. He will perform in the second semifinal next Thursday. He will qualify for the grand final and could be a contender to win it all next Saturday night.

Next year is the 60th edition of the ESC. The first was in 1956 when Lys Assia won the event with "Refrain" in Lugano, for Switzerland. Switzerland has been a part of this event since then, and has sent some of the best songs known to man for all of Europe (and the world) to enjoy. Sinplus' "Unbreakable" (2012) is still the greatest Swiss song ever in ESC, though it didn't make the final in Baku. Last year, despite the name change, Heilsarmee (Takasa) had a good one as well, "You and Me." Some other great ESC songs of the past from Switzerland include Lovebugs' "The Highest Heights" (2009), Pino Gasparini & Mariella Farre "Piano Piano" (1985), and Lys Assia "Giorgio" (1958) just to name a few. This no doubt will join the ranks as one of the best Switzerland has sent to the event. Good luck.

Up next: Mariya Yaremchuk "Tick Tock."

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Switzerland

29 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (28 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Switzerland.

Switzerland made their winter Olympics debut at Chamonix 1924 and has competed at every winter games since. The Swiss in the winter games won 127 medals, including 44 gold medals.

Simon Ammann (pictured) is the most successful Swiss athlete in the winter games, with four gold medals. The ski jumper won gold in both the men's individual large and normal hill events at both Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010.

Skier Vreni Schneider (pictured) won three gold medals for Switzerland in the winter games. She won the giant slalom at Calgary 1988, and also in the slalom event at Calgary as well as Lillehammer 1994.

Gustaf Weber and Donat Acklin won gold twice in the two men bobsleigh as partners. They both won that event together at Albertville 1992 and again at Lillehammer 1994. Two other Swiss have won gold twice in the winter games: skier Marie Theres Nadig won the women's downhill and giant slalom events at Sapporo 1972, and most recently, snowboarder Philipp Schoch won the men's parallel giant slalom at Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006.

The men's curling team won gold as well, as they defeated Canada in the final at Nagano 1998.

For Sochi, 168 quota spots available including men's and women's ice hockey and curling as well as biathlon.

Switzerland hosted the 1928 and 1948 winter Olympic games, both in St. Moritz.

Up next: Tajikistan.

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Heilsarmee (Changed to 'Takasa' to Meet EBU Standards) "You and Me"

And here is the next to last review of Malmo 2013. Heilsarmee was originally called Heilsarmee, but due to the EBU's rules regarding trademarks in the ESC, there had to be a name change. Heilsarmee is a German translation of "The Salvation Army," which is a trademarked organization. Therefore, for this year's event, the band changed to 'Takasa.' The song is still the same.

"You and Me" is just simply...a rock ballad. Take a listen:

Switzerland in some of the recent years in ESC never disappoints. "Unbreakable" by Sinplus from Baku 2012 was my favorite last year. It should have made the final and won. No need to compare. This one spells winner and hopefully it will make the grand final next Saturday.

The real winner of Malmo 2013. Bern or Geneva 2014, perhaps?

Hope for the best.

Up next: the final review of Malmo 2013, Zlata Ognevich "Gravity."

South Koreans: "Bunch of Mongoloids"!

So sayeth this Swiss footballer in a tweet. The man was provoked already. Geez. PC patrol strikes again.

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Switzerland

73 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Switzerland (SUI).

Switzerland has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern day Olympics of 1896. A total of 198 medals have been won by Swiss athletes in the summer games, including 53 gold medals.

Shooter Louis Richardet leads all Swiss athletes in the Olympics when it comes to multiple gold medals. Richardet won five in the Olympics, in the men's 20m military revolver (shooting) at Athens 1906. He also won in the men's 50m free pistol (shooting) at Paris 1900, men's 300m three-position free rifle (shooting) twice at Paris 1900 and again at Athens 1906. His other medal was in the men's 300m kneeling or standing military rifle (shooting) at Athens 1906.

Two Swiss athletes have four gold medals each in the summer games-Georges Miez (pictured) and Konrad Staheli. Miez, a gymnast, won in the men's individual all-around (gymnastics), team all-around (gymnastics) and horizontal bar (gymnastics) at Amsterdam 1928. He also won in the floor exercise (gymnastics) at Berlin 1936. Staheli, a shooter, won gold medals in the men's 50m team free pistol (shooting) at Paris 1900, in the 300m kneeling free  rifle at Paris 1900, and two golds in the 300m three-position free rifle-at Paris 1900 and at Athens 1906.

Nine Swiss athletes have won two gold medals each in the summer games:

• Emil Kellenberger (shooting)
• Conrad Karl Roderer (shooting)
• Alfred Grutter (shooting)
• Marcel Meyer de Stadelhofen (shooting)
• Hans Walter (rowing)
• August Guttinger (gymnastics)
• Emile Lachapelle (rowing)
• Hermann Hanggi (gymnastics)
• Eugen Mack (gymnastics)

One of the most recent gold medals won by Switzerland in the summer games were by two world class singles tennis players-Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer (pictured). Wawrinka, a consistent top ten in the ATP rankings, and Federer, a former number one in the world (and was Switzerland's flag bearer in the opening ceremonies), won doubles gold at Beijing 2008 after defeating Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson (SWE) in the final.

As of now, 78 Swiss athletes are headed to London to compete in 13 events, including athletics, cycling, equestrian, swimming and triathlon. The men's football (soccer) team has also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Syria